Circuit control system



l? T1943. 1 C, HOYT CIRCUIT CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Feb. 6, 1942 Inventor:

General Electric Company, a corporation. ci NewYork Application February d, i942, Serial No. 429,336

(Cl. illu-H8) 1G Claims,

ll/y invention relates to circuit control systems and particularly to systems which control the sequence in which a plurality of devices are arranged to loe operated.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved arrangement of apparatus whereby any one or plurality of devices may be oper atedk rst, and then the remaining devices are operated in a predetermined sequence.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved arrangement of apparatus whereby any one or more of a plurality of devices may he cut out or" a predetermined sequence of oper- Referring to the drawing, i, 2, and 3 represent electric motors which are respectively arranged to ce connected to suitable supply circuits El 5,

and B by suitable line switches l, 8 and 9. For o the purpose of this description, it will he as suined that the motors l, 2, and 3, respectively, drive suitable water pumps, not shown, so as to maintain the water pressure in a water system supplied thereby at a predetermined value. l0 represents a suitable water pressure responsive device of any suitable type, examples of which are well-known in the art, which is so arranged that when the water pressure of the water system is below a predetermined value, it closes the con tacts ii in an energizing circuit for a time relay i2 and when the water pressure is above a predetermined value, it closes the contacts i3 to complete an energizing circuit for a time relay I4. The closing of the contacts it of the time relay i2 is arranged to effect the energization ci a starting circuit iii for all of the motors l, 2, and 3, and the opening of the contacts Il of the time relay is arranged to effect the deenergiza tion oi a stopping circuit iii for all of the motors i, 2, and

The motor i has associated therewith an individual master relay 2li which, when energized, effects the closing of the associated line switch l and the energization of an associated time relay 2i and which, when deenergized, effects the energization of an associated time relay 22. The motor 2 is provided with a similar individual master relay which controls the operation ci the associated time relays and 25, and the fri) motor 3 is also, provided with a similar indi vidual master relay 26, which controls the opel al tion of the associated time relays 2l and 28.

The sequence, in which the master relays iii, 23 and 26 are energized when the starting cir cuit i6 is energized by the time relay i2 closing its contacts i5, and in which they are denergl'zed when the stopping circuit i5 is opened by the relay M opening its contacts il, is determined by the relative positions of the two-position control switches Sil, 3l, and 32, respectively associated with the motors i, 2, and 3. in the par ticular arrangement shown in the drawing, any one of the motors can be made the rst motor to be started' and the. last motor to he stopped by moving the associated two-position control switch to its left-hand position and all of the other two-position control switches to their right hand positions. As shown in the drawing, the motor l is the leading unit since its control switch B is shown in its lefthand position, the motor 2 is the second motor to he started, and the motor 3 is the last motor to he started since their respective associated two-position control switches 3i and S52 are shown in their righthand positions. if it is desired to maire the motor 2 the leading unit, the control switch is moved to its rightdiand position, and the control switch 3i is moved to its left-hand position. The motor 2 is then the leading unit, the .motor 3 is the second unit to he started, and. motor i is the last unit to he placed in service. 'it it is desired to make the motor 3 the control switch 32 is moved to its left-hand position and the control switches Sil and 3i to their righthand positions. The motor 3 is then the leading unit, the motor i is the second unit to be started and 'the motor 2 is the last unit to be placed in service. i

When any one of the two-position control switches 30, 3l, or til. is in its lefthand position, and the rest of them are in their right-hand posim tions, the starting circuit iii is connected to the associated master relay and the connection oi the stopping circuit lil is so controlled that the associated master relay cannot he deenergized until all of the other master relays have been deenergized for a predetermined time interval.

The motors i, il, and ii are also respectively provided with the two-position control switches di, and i2 whereby any motor may loe re moved from the normal sequence and independently controlled without affecting the sequential operation of the other motors in response to the operation oi" the pressure relay it.

The operation oi' the arrangement shown in the drawing is as follows: For the purpose ci this description, it will he assumed that it isdesired to have the motor l operate irst when the water pressure decreases to a sudcient value to cause "he the leading unit,

'pleted for the time relay I2. After being energized for a predetermined time, the time relay I2 closes its contacts I5 so as to energize the starting circuit I6. An energizing circuit is thereby completed for the master relay 20 and an associated auxiliary time-denne drop-out relay 34 through the starting circuit I6, the contacts 43 of the control switch 30, the contacts 44 of the auxiliary relay 34, and the contacts 46 of the control switch 40. The closing of the contacts 45 of the master relay 20 completes a holding circuit for the relays 20 and 34 through the contacts 46 of the control switch 40, the contacts 41 of the control switch 3I, the contacts 48 of the master relay 23, the contacts 49 of the control switch 32, the contacts 56 of the master relay 26, the contacts 5I of the control switch 30, the stopping circuit I8, and the contacts I1 of the relay I4.

The closing of the contacts 52 of the relay 28 completes an energizing circuit for the closing coil tacts 64 of the relay 23 interrupts the energizing i circuit o1' the control relay 25 so that it closes its contacts 66 and completes a shunt circuit around of the line switch 1 so that the motor I is conn ectediothe supply circuit 4. The closing of the contacts 53 of the relay 26 completes an energizing circuit for the time relay 2|, and the opening of the contacts 54 of the relay 20 interrupts the energizing circuit of the control relay 22 so that Yit closes its contacts 55.

If the water pressure is still too low after the time relay 2l has completed its timing operation, which is made long enough to allow the water pressure to be built up in response to the operation of the motor I, a circuit is completed for the master relay 23 and the auxiliary timedelayed drop-out relay 56 associated with the motor 2 through the contacts I5 of the relay I2, the starting circuit I6, the contacts 43 of the control switch 30, the contacts 51 of the time relay 2l, the contacts 58 of the control switch 3|, the

contacts 59 ofthe auxiliary relay 56, and the contacts 69 of the control switch 4 I. The closing` of the contacts 60 of the master relay 23 completes a holding circuit for the master relay 23 and the auxiliary relay 56 associated with the motor 2 through the contacts 69 of the control switch 4I,

the contacts 49 of the control switch 32, the contacts 50 of the master relay 26, the contacts 5I of the control switch 30, the stopping circuit I8, and the contacts I1 of the relay i4. The closing of the contacts 6I of the nister Yrelay 23 completes an energizing circuit for the line switch 8 so y that the motor 2 is connected to the supply circuit 5. The closing of the contacts 62 of the relay 23, Which are arranged in any suitable manner so that they are closed before the contacts 48 are opened, completes through the contacts 84 of the .control switch 4I a holding circuit for the master relay 20 and the auxiliary relay 34 associated with the motor I. the preceding motor in the sequence, so that these relays are not deenergized by the opening of the contacts 48 of the relay 23 in the heretofore described holding circuit for these relays. The closing of the contacts 63 of the relay 23 completes an energizing circuit for the time relay 24, and the opening of the conthe contacts 62 in the holding circuit for the relays 20 and 34 associated with the motor I.

If the Waterpressurel is still low when the time relay 24 completes its timing operation after the motor 2 is placed in service, a. circuit is completed for the master relay 26 and the auxiliary time-delayed drop-out relay 18 associated with the motor 3 through the contacts I5 of the relay I2, the starting circuit I6, thecontacts 43 of the control switch 30, the contacts 51 of the relay 2i, the contacts 58 of the control switch 3|, the contacts 1I of the time relay 24, the contacts 12 of the control switch 32, the contacts 13 of the relay 18, and the contacts 14 of the control switch 42. e The closing of the contacts 1540i the relay 26 completes a holding circuit for the relays 26 and 10 through the contacts 14 of the control switch 42. the contacts 5I of the control switch 36, the stopping circuit I8, and the contacts I1 of the relay I4. The closing of the contacts 16 of the relay 26 completes an energizing circuit for the closing coil of the line switch 9 so that the motor 3 is connected to the supply circuit 6. The closing of the contacts 11 of the relay 26 which are arranged inv any suitable manner so that they are closedl before the contacts 50 are opened, completes through the contacts of the control switch 42 a holding circuit for the master relay 23 and the auxiliary relay 56 associated with the motor 2 the preceding motor in the sequence, so that these relays do not become deenergized by the opening oi the contacts 50 of the relay 26 in the heretofore described holding circuit for these relays. The closing of the contacts 18 of the relay 26 completes an energizing circuit for the timeirelay 21, and the opening of the .contacts 19 of the relay 26 interrupts the energizing circuitof the master relay 26 in the holding circuit for the relays 23 and 56 associated with the motor 2.

When all of the motors are in service and the a water pressure increases above a predetermined value so that the contactsi3 of the water pres- .sure responsive relay III are closed, a circuit is completed for the timing relay I4. If the water pressure remains above this predetermined value for a predetermined time, the relay I4 opens its contacts I1 in the heretofore described holding circuit for the master relay 26 and the auxiliary relay 10 associated with the motor 3. The opening of the contacts 16 of the relayq26 eiects the opening of the switch 9 so that the motor 3 is disconnected from the supply circuit 6. The closing of the contacts 50 of the relay 26 reestablishes the heretofore described holding circuit ior the master relay 23 and the auxiliary relay 56 associated with the motor 2 through the stopping circuit I8 and the contacts I1 of the relay I4. The closing of the contacts 19 of the l relay 26 re-establishes the energizing circuit for the time relay 28, which after being energized for a predetermined time, opens its contacts 80 When only theV motors I and 2 are in service, and the contacts 80 of the relay 28 are open, and the water pressure is above a predetermined value so that the timing relay I4 is energized for a predetermined time, the heretofore described holding circuit for the master relay 23 and the auxiliary relay 56 associated with the motor 2 is opened at the contactsI'I of the relay I4. The opening of the contacts 6I of the relay 23 effects the opening of the switch 8 so that the motor 2 is disconnected from the supply circuit 5. The closing of the contacts 48 of the relay 23 reestablishes the heretofore described holding circuit for the master relay and the auxiliary relay 34 associated with the motor I through the stopping circuit IB and the contacts I1 of relay I4. The closing of the contacts 64 of the relay 23 re-establishes the energizing circuit for the time relay 25, which after being energized for a predetermined time, opens its contacts 66 in the heretofore described holding circuit for the master relay 28 and the auxiliary relay 34 associated with the motor I. Since the relay does not open its contacts 66 until after the motor 2 has been out of service for a predetermined time, it will be observed that it is impossible for the motor I to be shut down in response to the water pressure being too high untilafter the motor 2 has "been out of service for said predetermined time.

When only the motor I is in service and the contacts 66 of the time relay 25 are opened and the water pressure is above a predetermined value so that the relay I4 is energized for a predetermined time, the heretofore described holding circuit for the master relay 20 and the auxiliary relay 34 associated with the motor I is opened at the contacts I1 of the relay i4. The opening of the contacts 52 of the relay 20 effects the opening ofthe switch I so as to disconnect the motor I from the supply circuit 4.

From the above description of the arrangement shown in the drawing 4and of the operation thereof, it will be seen that when the water pressure decreases below a predetermined value, the time relay I2 must remain energized for a predetermined time before the next motor in the predetermined sequence can be started, and when the water pressureincreases above a predetermined value, the time relay I4 must be energized for a predetermined time interval before the next motor in the predetermined sequence can be taken out of service. Such an arrangement eliminates false starting and stopping of a motor due to momentary pressure fluctuations. Each of the time relays 2I, 24, and 2T also respectively prevents the next motor in the predetermined sequence from being started until after the associated motor has been in operation for a predetermined time, and each of the time relays 22, 25, and 28 respectively prevents the next motor in the predetermined sequence from being taken out of service until after the associated motor has been out of service for a predetermined time. Each of the time relays 34,

56, and 10 respectively prevents overlap with contacts 45, 60, and 15, respectively of master relays 20, 23, and 26, respectively, to prevent connecting the starting and stopping circuits IS and I8 together. In this manner, sufficient time the leading unit in the predetermined sequence, the associated control switch, such as switch 3| for the motor 2 and the switch 32 for the motor 3, is moved to its left-hand position, and all of the other control switches are placed in their right-hand position.

When it is desired to control the operation of a motor independently of the position of the pressure switch I0, the associated control switch 30, 3|, or 32 must be in its right-hand position and the associated control switch 40, 4I, or 42 is moved to its right-hand position. For example, if it is desired to operate the motor 2 independently of the pressure relay I0, the control switches 3| and 4I are moved to their respective righthand positions. The closing of the contacts 82 of the switch 4I prepares an energizing circuit for the relays 23 and 56, associated with the motor 2, which may be closed and opened atwill by operating an associated control switch 86 to effect the starting and stopping of the motor 2. The opening of the contacts 69 of the switch 4l disconnects the relays 23 and 56 from the contacts 58 of the control switch 3| so as to prevent these relays from being connected across the starting circuit I6. The closing of the contacts 83 of the control switch 4I completes a shunt circuit around the contacts 48 of the master relay 23, and the opening of the contacts 84 of the control switch 4I interrupts the circuits through the contacts 62 of the relay 23 and the contacts 66 of the relay 25 so that the holding circuit for the relays 20 and 34 of the preceding motor I in the predetermined sequence is controlled by the positions of the relays 26 and 28 of the motor 3, which now follows the motor I in the predetermined sequence. The closing of the confacts 85 of the control switch 4I completes a shunt circuit around the contacts II of the time relay 24 so that the energization of the relays 26 and IU of the motor 3 does not depend upon the position of the master relay 23 and the timedelayed relay 24.

When any one of the control switches 30, 3l or 32 is placed in its left-hand position, in order to select the associated unit as the leading unit, the respective contact 9|, 41 or 49 is opened in order to prevent the respective parallel connected contacts 93 and 55, B2 and 66 or 17 and 8U from establishing a permanent holding circuit for the last master relay to be energized in response to the energization of the starting circuit. Similarly, when any one of the control switches 40, 4I or 42 is placed in its right-hand position in order to cut the associated unit out of the predetermined sequence, the respective contact 92,`4

84 or 90 is opened isi order to prevent Vthe parallel connected contacts 93 and 55y 62 and 66 or 'I'I and from establishing a holding circuit for the master relay associated with unit preceding the cut out unit in the predetermined sequence.

While I have, in accordance with the patent statutes, shown and described my invention as applied to a particular system and as embodying various devices diagrammatically indicated, changes and modifications will be obvious to those skiled in the art, and I therefore aim in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. An arrangement for effecting the automatic operation of a plurality of devices in a predetermined sequence comprising a control circuit,

- sequence comprising a starting circuit, for energizing and deenergizing said ng circuit, a stopping circuit, means for icing and deenergizing said stopping ciran individual control relay for each demeans responsive to the energization of ,uitrol relay for effecting the operation of the associated device, a two-position switch individual to each device and arranged when in one oi its positions to connect the associated control relay to said circuit so that the associated device is the first to be operated by the energization control circuit, timing means responsive to the energization of a control relay for connecting the control relay associated with the next i device in the predetermined sequence to said concircuit when the two-position switch indiuai such next device is in its other position, ns responsive to the energization oi a coner relay for completing a holding circuit thereor through said stopping circuit when all of 'the own-position switches associated with the subsoignent devices in the predetermined sequence in their other positions and all of the control relays associated with such subsequent devices are deenergized and for completing independentiy oi said stopping circuit another holding circuit for the control relay associated with the oreceding device in the predetermined sequence,

i timing means individual to each control relay and controlled thereby for completing for a undetermined time interval af ter the deenergization oi the associated control relay a holding circuit ier the control relay associated with the g device inthe predetermined sequence. arrangement for effecting the automatic oeration of a plurality of devices in a predetermined sequence comprising a starting circuit, means .Tor energizing ahd deenergizing said startit, a stopping circuit, means for enerd deenergizing said stopping circuit, ind ioual c'ontrol relay for each device, means nsive to the energization of a control relay ng the operation of the associated dea two-position switch individual to each nd. arranged when in one of its positions ect the associated control relay to said t the associated device is the first by the energization oi said cont, timing means responsive to the enero ion of a control relay for connecting the con- "cl-a'y associated with the succeeding device predetermined sequence to said control o-position switch individual evice is in its other position, ponsiie to the energization of a control' i: completing a holding circuit therefor said stopping circuit when all of the twoswitches associated with the-subsequent in the predetermined sequence are in positions and all othe control relays i i suchsubsequent devices are decompleting independently of rit another holding circuit for y associated with. the preceding i the predetermined sequence, and means L with each control relay for preventing ction between said starting and stopping ont i'or eecting the automatic ion oi a plurality' of devices in. a predetermined sequence comprising a starting circuit, means for energizing and deenergizing said starting circuit, a stopping circuit, means for energizing and deenergizing said stopping circuit, an individual control relay for each device, means responsive toA the energization of a control relay for effecting the operation ofthe associated device, a two-position switch individual to each device and arranged when in one of its positions to connect the associated control relay to said circuit so that the associated device is the first to be operated by the energization of said control circuit, timing means responsive to the energization of a control relay for connecting the contheir other positions and all of the control relays' associated with such subsequent devices are deenergized and for completing independently of said stopping circuit another holding circuit for the control relay associated with the preceding device in the predetermined sequence, and individual switching means associated with each de' I vice for cutting the associated device out of said predetermined sequence without effecting the sequential operation of the other devices.

l0. An arrangement for effecting the automatic operation of a plurality of devices in a predetermined sequence comprising a starting circuit, means for energizing and deenergizing said starting circuit, a stopping circuit, means for energizing and deenergizing said stopping circuit, an individual control relay for each device, means responsive to the energization of a control relay for effecting the operation of the associated clevice, a two-position switch individual lto each device and arranged when in one of its positions to connect the associated control relay to said circuit so that the associated device is the first to be operated by the energization of said control circuit, timing means responsive to the energization of a control relay for connecting the control 'relay associated with the succeeding device in the predetermined sequence to said control circuit when the two-position switch individualxto such succeeding device is in its other position, means responsive to the energization of a control relay for completing a holding circuit therefor through said stopping circuit when all of the twoposition switches associated with the subsequent devices in the predetermined sequence are in their other positions and all of the control relays associated with such subsequent devices are deenergized and for completing independently of said stopping circuit another holding circuit for the control relay associated with the preceding device in the predetermined sequence, individual switching means associated with each device for cutting the associated device out of said predetermined sequence without effecting the sequential operation of the other devicesl and means for stopping and starting each cut out device independently of the conditions of the other devices remaining in the predetermined sequence.

JOHN CURTIS HOYT. 

